Holmes, Herbie (Herbert Payne)

Musician

Content:

• Newspaper clippings • Images • Email exchange between several people looking for information regarding Holmes • Magazine feature • Excerpts from "The Big Bands";"The Mississippi Almanac"; "Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame"

Location: Vertical Files at B.S. Ricks Memorial Library of the Yazoo Library Association| 310 N. Main Street, Yazoo City, Mississippi 39194 .■■j.-lH-"

! • '

T ■ r / ANNUAL TRAVEL EDITION

MARGJI Al'RIl, Kuiii

Herb Hot

Claire Wctycaster ■ t Natchez

2..;, 11950 n g!STa«.l«VI

bbsi's vmm

■•i-s>lo-^.

v>=n."=;;;;rMD««" s;."« Svp..^ cn'.' : 00CO r.i* i- raahion CORPORM*?^ rw.«w2w«!

gardens of some of the finest hotels in and Loew's Slate Theater sponsored a at the w.ndmill Club across the river the country is a notable chapter in Mis vocal competition. The first prize was a from Vicksburg in Louisiana. sissippi musical history. trip to New York, an audition at the NBC Holmes began to look for other vocalists studios, and a guest appearance on the Eddie Cantor radio program. Holmes erbie Holmes was at the Windmill. ° graduating from high won. y/ie Cof/imerdal Ap/jealquoted him Delta State University coed Nancy school in Yazoo City the on his return: "Cantor's a prince of a year of the crash, 1929. fellow and the best of hosts." li"™"a ent igi 5°'^Pet.itiondecided to while enter visit- the He was affable, attractive, The Mississippians continued to play mg her aunt ,n Vick,,burg. Huron and intelligent. His father, president of and develop through 1934 and 1935 Hutchersou of Jack,so„, who is now the Delta National Bank, had in his Jackson real estate developer Army reured from a Navy career, played piano younger years starred in blackface Brown joined the band that spring. "I and saxophone ,n the band. He minstrel shows. Holmes's mother was playing in some of the little dance remembers, Herbie called me and said played violin and piano. His sister, bands around Jackson," he recalls. he had talked wi h a girl and that he was Katie, played piano and organ in the "Some of the Ole Miss musicians would just captured by her voice from just talk- Episcopal Church. come down here when school was out nig with her. We got together and she Holmes's budding interest in music and play the hotels. I got to be friends sang a couple of tunes and from then involved studying piano and voice, and with some of them. A mt nth before <^n she was bis singer." Holmes and several of the band mem he played in a little high .school band. Nancy had a captivating ^ He enrolled at the University of Missis bers were to graduate in 1935,1 went up ^vith a siiltr)'- lull tone that was clear and sippi and joined the college orchestra. and joined the Mississippians. We went fircy. She recalls, "I had a piano scholar- The Mississippians, which he began to on the road, and when school was about ^'^ip to Brenau, a girls' school in Atlam- lead. He was featured vocalist and, as to begin in the fall, several went back to school and we kept pla)ing. We added but I never went, i started singing\vith evident in later recordings, was develop Ucrbic's band. ing a voice of long-staple silk with a more musicians from time to time. We In the winter of I935, the band sio-,, n pronounced Delta accent. Mu.sically, had musicians from all over the ^^'th Music Corporation of AnJrir^. the Mississippians were a strong ag countiy." Brown wrote arrangements and played guitar for the orchestra. gregation of savxy young players focu-s- "ht? ^ountiW' ^be agencybooking manaQ-cri agencies in1 ing on the stock charts ofihe day. They During that first summer, the Herbie cellar rnlent as Basit'"-;!::;;^; were a popular attraction at college Holmes Orchestra wa.s becoming a functions around the state. prolessional unit. They played the ■imbardo. The boost 1.,,^ , i„g During Holmes's Junior year, the American Legion State Convention in nto such a national network was NBC radio tifllliaie in Memphis, WMC, Tupelo and then became a regular act trcmcndons. A Dallas cngagcmen, at

38 M.\RCM/APRn. UH«) the Samovar Club lasted six weeks. This began a busy year of louring the Mid west. Brown recalls, "1 remember how impressed wiih Dallas we were. Me and several of the others were married. My wife and I had this little makeshifl apart ment in somebody's house where our rent was S3.50 a week and groceries cost us S3.50 a week. I was making S25 a week, and the others got S20. I was making $5 extra being kind of tlie musi-

#E'LL PLAY YOUR REQUESTS -Ni^tclubs like this one in Widiita iff y

■J.

cal director." . Though MCA's huge roster of ta e began as a boon for the orchestra, its ^07 acts made individual attention m Holmes's band impossible. gi"oup became more popular, focused agencies began courting ' _ fn April 1937. Frederick Brothers Musi Corporation of Cleveland was Consolidated Artists for senices. They wrote: "I think you t ^y understand that we could give you mo^^ personal representation than ^'se, as wc, naturally, would regai y and your band as one of our top hons and would immediately pl'^ce ) un some better engagements 7"" have been playing." Holmes g ^ith the Frederick Brothers and oegan playing more lucrative and fashionable TheVenues. band began changing, maturing, adjusting away from being a coUcp^^Uf^ band toward a stvle swing band. ^nd lasi-paccd. Crosby, brother of Bing, led popular BobCats. their energetic treatment of jazz. With the introduction of other players fi-om around the country, the Dixieland music ripened. MISSIS-SIPPl 39 radio broadcasts on a regular basis. A MOnuaY .4ILiHT more mellow approach-music for dining and dancing-was necessary for this market. Fresh From State-tuicle Triumph The Frederick Brothers were haring Hcriiiu ami EUilic Cantor great success with a band led by a man named Lawrence Welk, and though Welk was advised to watch Holmes's -'H emcee techniques. Holmes was en couraged to emulate Welk's musical style. The issue was forced in late 1939 OLE MISS at the Chase Hotel in St. Louis Bassist Fay Anderson from Yazoo City joined the band in 1938. Now a resident of Lonoke,^ kansas, where he operates the world s largest minnow hatchery, he remembers, The Frederick Brothers showed up at the hotel, and when that happened, it usually meant a problem. Holmes took Hete i'orb - also Hettn Bishop Herbie came around and told us there took Miss. was going to be a meeting. We all got AN ABSOLUTELY NEW and ORIQINAL PROQRAM BY together and the Frederick Brothers told us that we had gone as far as we the mi SSISSiPPi ANS could go as a Dixieland band.They said. HERBIE holmes • HELEN BISHOP You are ma mg all money that you can ma e. e have placed you in all the See Holmes Qo "Fisher" 'tehiJe good Dixieland clubs that we can, and "Diick" Hwtchersoti pla>s Indian Chic/; to make any real money, you have to change the style of the band.'" "Deacon" Corley with a New Text .. . Holmes, this was a tough .... and John Htierle hunts "Qoons" decision. He was a crooner, with a voice perfectly tailored for the sweeter music SENSATIONAL COLLEGIATE ENTERTAINMENT suggested by the Frederick Brothers. His sonorous speaking voice made him a captivating emcee. Nancy's warm styl FULTOK CHAPEL - - 7:45 ing was also correct for the grand hotels and mellow evening radio. On the Admissicq 25c other hand. Holmes had great respect for the band's jazz players. They had been receiving ovenvhelming response from club audiences and were routinely t the helm, Holmes made breaking attendance records. But the sound business decisions. Frederick Brothers also had great He was always looking for power as booking agents and had kept that little something that the band working when other bands would enrich their presen were in a panic. Holmes decided to go tation. He adopted the slogan, "Music along with his management. Served Southern-Style." The press In retrospect, it was certainly the cor referred to him as The Young Maestro rect decision. The new arranger, Roy from the Mis,sissippi Delta." Three Coates, added strings and restyled the years into their touring, the Herbie Hol horns with emphasis on .seamless, ril> mes Band was a tight, popping jazz or bonlike figures with the tenor ganization. saxophone setting the tone. One paper The Fred crick Brothers kept reported, "dheu-management informs Holmes's orchestra booked solid, with us that the Herbie Holmes Orchestra is great receptions at the Adolphus in Dal now strictly in die Forties style with the las as well as a long engagement at the mellow soimd; no more of the pot boi]. Pla/.a Roof in San Antonio. Holmes ing swan karoos. Nancy, and the orchestra ushered in The ja/.^- members scattered. Horh New Year 1939 with a live national radio Tompkin.s weni to New York and joim^d broadcast from the Fdgewaier Beach the L.cs Brown Orchestra. Bob Alvar ido Hotel in Chicago. returned home to Oilcans, With such national attention, the Robinson and Fay Anderson decided Frederick Brothers realized that dial Robinson wonRi go to New York Holmes s band was on the verge tT and look for work. Andenson Wonld stav bi caking into the upper echelon of on with Holmes, help .support Rnbinsou Nancy's voice was idealfor moving hotel engagements. They felt that if the until he had a good start, then Ander from Dixieland to FoHiesst\le music band was a little less hot and jazzy, it son would join him in New York "h ( oiild play the nncr hotels with national worked out just thai way," Anderson •It) M/>Ju:ii/APKii. I'jyf) remembers. "I slaved on wiih the new band. We played good music like thai early Lawrence Welk band and I en joyed ii, but IJusi clidn'i gel a chance lo 'stomp-'em-on. After six months, Anderson joined Robinson on the road in the Don Bester Orchestra. Holmes's band continued to succeed, now in bigger and better hotels. The media was picking up on the band as ^vell. In mid-1940 Billboard magazine reported,"The band, unusually framed, lias three violins, three saxes, three rhythms, and two brass. The eiTeci is a lasty musical dish." In July, Holmes returned with his band to home turf with an engagement in the Twentieth Centuiy room at the Claridgc Hotel in Memphis. With the revamped band, he

LUi i i y MX

rvfeUih'd by CVMI T« Cbbit Ton*! •4a re4B«i»<* e.rt ^elt that greater depth was needed to enhance the review. He hired the Cromwell Sisters, Clara Nell. 1^, m ^ • 17; and Lavonna, 14. , Through 1940 and 1941 the band was constantly touring. They recoic ec our sides for the Okea label. Holmes s ten diiion of "Ida" was the most pop" ar, ^ith the Cromwell Sisters addmg'^'2,s- cinating background. Nancy ^>N_. "ou'e;' t-..~ '^

MISSiS.Stl'1'i Aficestry Message Boards - Message[ Hutsdn wysiwyg;//32/http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/DNk.2ACEB/379.1.1

Wm\

jgllnmB 1 ii learn J^ Share ll^W^hop Surname Community 1 Message Boards | Ancestry World Tree [ Research Registry

Find Your Familv Website .Click Here

iV'. ■ • ^Message Login

Search: GO! j ^ All Boards O Hutson Board Advanced Sea

Boards > Surnames > Hutson im Hutson ^ Search all Ancestrv.com Messages posted to this board also appear In databases for "Hutson" .-ecords the "[email protected]" mailing list. List Messaqes I Post New Message I Add Board To Favorites j Add Board To Notifications| Become An Admin «Thread • Previous • Next• Thread» Re: Nancy Hutson in the 1940 Author: Patrick Cummins Date: 23 Mar 2002 4:16 PM gmt Classification: Query In Reply to: Re: Nancv Hutson in the 1940 by: John E. Ellze\ Mark Unread I Report Abuse vsz. Print Message John: Thank you for responding to my query. I would be happy to exchange info and photos with you. My father, Si Cummins, played with the Holmes Band for several years, and Herbie was his best man at his wedding. I am currently working on a project with the few surviving members of the Holmes Band, and their families, to uncover stories and ID old photographs. You should be interested in the results, and I will be happy to share them. Pat Cummins Mark Unread| Report Abuse m.Print Message

Find a Board: □ Use Soundex

I Message Board Rules |

About Us 1 Contact Us | Affiliate Program | Privacy Statement | Terms and Conditions 1998-2001 MyFamily.com, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. All use and access to Ancestrv.com subject to license

3/25/02 9:28 AM \ /John: Thanks you for responding to my query. I would be happy to exchange info and photos with you. My father played with the Holmes Band'for several years, and Herbie was his best man at his wedding. I am currently working on a project with the few surviving members of the Holmes Band, and their families, to uncover stories and ID old photographs. You should be interested in the results, and I will be happy to share them. My address is:

Pat Cummins

You sent I'm a librarian at Ricks Memorial Library in Yazoo City, MS. For some time I've kept a file on Herbie Holmes and his orchestra. In it is Nancy Hutson Holmes' obituary from the Yazoo Herald as well as an article from Mississippi magazine titled "Herbie Holmes's Big Band" and an article about Holmes from MISSISSIPPI MUSICIANS HALL OF FAME ed. by James Brewer. I could also probably provide Herbie Holmes' obit, from the Herald microfilm. If you would like copies of any of this, I would be glad to mail them to you if you can provide your address. I would be pleased to have copies of any photos you have to place in our file. Incidently, Herbie Holmes' daughter Kathy still lives here in Yazoo City. John E. Ellzey

Patrick Cummins Researching Cummins, Hamilton, Kraft, Smith, Stover, Pennell, Lewallen

of 3/25/02 9:08 AM Ancestry Message Boards - Message[ Hutson ] Page 1 of 1

Member Login| My Account j MyFamily.com

Surname Community | Message Boards | Ancestry World Tree | Research Registry Neeii help starting your family tree? I Enterfamily name j :Get help nowl|

Message Boards

Search: l52LI ® All Boards ^ Hutson Board Advanced Search Boards > Surnames > Hutson Hutson Search all Ancestry.cqm databases for Messages posted to this board also appear in the "HUTSON- "Hutson" records [email protected]" mailing list. LJst_IVlessag.e_s| Post New Message [ Add Board To Favorites| Add Board To Notifications I Links & Announcements «Thread • Previous • Next• Thread» El Nancy Hutson in the 1940

Author: Pat Cummins Date: 24 Get 2001 7:46 PM gmt Classification: Query Post Reply| Mark Unread j Report Abuse ® Print Message Nancy Hutson toured and sang with the Herbie Holmes Orchestra in the 1938-1943 period and married Herbie in 1941. Believe she was from Mississippi, as was Herbie, and they settled there in Yazoo City after the War. Seeking any information on both Nancy and Herbie. Thanks, Pat Cummins^|piiiMViipMlMltl|||i Post Reply j Mark Unread j Report Abuse ^Print Message

Find a Board: — I IESH ^ Use Soundex Request New Board| Message Board Rules| Message Board FAQ j Message Board Help

About Us I Contact Us j Affiliate Program j Privacy Statement| Terms and Conditions Copyright © 1998-2001 MyFamily.com, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. All use and access to Ancestry.com subject to license

http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/message/an/surnames.hutsoii/379 .Ancestry Message Boards - Message[ Holmes ] Page 1 of 1

Member Login| My Account| MyFamily.com

Surname Community | Message Boards ] Ancestry World Tree| Research Registry

S]Getting started at Ancestry.com... > Click here to begin

Message Boards

Search: ® All Boards ^ Holmes Board Advanced Search

Boards > Surnames > Holmes iS Holmes Search all Ancestry.com databases for "Holmes" records IM Messages| Post New Message| Add Board To Favorites| Add Board To Notifications I Links & Announcements «Thread • Previous • Next• Thread»

H Herbie Holmes Orchestra 1938 Author: Pat Cummins Date; 2 Aug 2001 6:55 PM gmt

Surnames: Holmes Classification: Query Post Reply j Mark.Unread [ Report Abuse ^Print Message Seeking information on Herbie Holmes who led the Herbie Holmes Orchestra around 1938 from theJCansas City area. I also have some photos of him to share. Pat Cummins

Post Reply| ManTUnread ] Report.Abuse Print Message

«Thread • Previous • Next • Thread»

Find a Board: 1-^ 1 ; 1 I— Use Soundex Request New Board j Message Board Rules j Message Board FAO I Message Board Help

Ab.out.lJ_s I Cont.a_ct Us| AffilLa.te Program j Privacy S,ta.tement| Terms,and.ConditlQns Coayxighi © 1998-2001 MyFamily.com, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. AlLu.se and access to Ancestry.com subject to license

http://boai'ds.ancestry.com/mbexec/message/aii/suriiames.holmes/1943 For Bob Alvarado Jr.:

Bob, I just ran across the following newspaper clipping, I think your Dad will enjoy it. If you will forward your mailing address, I will send you a copy.

From: The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn., Apr 20, 1938 Title: Footlights and Flickers By: Harry Martin

BOB ALVARADO, the young pianist who plays excellent Dixieland swing with Herbie Holmes' orchestra at the Claridge, is a nephew of the former president of Honduras, the Central American republic. Tho scarcely in the class with Bob Zurke as yet, Alvarado performs a brand of swing that is unusually good. A few years of seasoning and he may well be expected to develop into one of the top-notchers at the keyboard. His contributions are especially effective when Holmes turns to such numbers as his "Delta Blues" and "I Can't Face the Music."

Regards, and let me know if your Dad remembers it. Pat

Patrick Cummins Researching Cummin^^IamltonTKraft, Smith, Stover, Pennell, Lewallen

I of 1 5/1/02 9:07 AM Yazoo County's Oldest^ 11 ; dad-Best Newspaner— —62 Years Old

NUMBER 45

Audition=^V iiuier

Greehwwd'-Games^^Forfeited

Seek to. P Acciirdmg^to^ a _ dis day's issue'of the Mem mercial—A-pjieal?—the^=yaz -High^^Schpol^lTrdigRg^^wni-be -given xYedit for another victory. The Delta Athletic Association has TvtU ed"^that—the—Greenwood- Bulldo' played two ineligible- men

orreroran elzonr kicked off-to Murphy, m the ■CommerciaLAPDeal: yho:r^Q<>kTithe--ballr!t)n.r;^:a20o!s:::^5: yard^line, returning seven. Moses "Joe Corrern and." Vippp Correro, made: a yard. Spell went in for''®^^ tackle and end of Greenwood Murphy'~fQ"r"^y^6o. Two passes aiL:aflemoon_by-the executive committee of the Delta Athletic • 'Associations. : -Records :gnntral—doll -and—toy^^iTnd -for ithe nsmi Holmes, "i--..

set .back 15 yards for clipping. J'-,, i-ocKara, superintendent., oi( radio audition Saturday ninbt. commumcaie. wntn F. H. Jfenne ! Steinriede .lostlost AA'vard yafiT"^ asfhe the third Indianola schools.- . v f ^ -r. —r • 1 r : A r> ■ . ' .and tbgjr donating -^11 Ka penod.period .^ded^.^^gcore::,ended.,w_^5core: Yaz6pr_L7,Vazoo^. -'Miifc ; .. . Belzoni 15. " all-Greenwood • games with DeItaf,TP,Delti , _ - • An attractive feature sponsored f. Herbert P. Holmes, v Ex-Band Leader, Dies Special to The Commercial Appeal ' r YAZOO CITY, Miss. — Herbert Payne Holmes, a band leader and businessman known in the late 1930s as "The Young Maestro," died at 1:10 a.m. Wednesday at King's Daughters Hospital here. He was 69. Mr. Holmes,a graduate of the University of Mississippi, came to prominence in 1934 when he won an Eddie Cantor.singing con test in Memphis. He continued his musical car^r as a leader of bands that were heard nationally in radio broadcasts and at the former Hotel Claridge in Memphis. His 13- piece band was recogni2ed during the late 1930s and early 1940s for its signature song "Darkness on the Delta." World War n interrupted his entertain ment career.He served as a lieutenant com mander in the Navy. At the end of the war he returned to Yazoo City to found Holmes Finance Co. and WAZF radio. Later, he joined former Mississippi State football'star Blondy Black in beginning Holmes-Black Motors, Inc., a car dealership here. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Trinity Episcopal Church, of which he was a com municant, with burial in Glenwood Mem orial Park. Gregory Funeral Home has charge. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Nancy Hutson Holmes: a daughter. Miss Kathy Holmes of Birmingham; a son, Herbert H. Holmes of , New Orleans;a sister, Mrs.George Donavan of Jackson,and a brother. Miller P,Holmes of Yazoo City.

1)1^-^ ^ya

Just ran across the following newspaper clipping for the collection.

>From - a Wichita, KS paper

Date - must be in 1996, note reference to Orchestra vice Band

Headline - HERBIE HOLMES BUYS PACKARD "120" ROADSTER

Photo - full shot of Herbie Holmes in a light colored suit standing in front of his new Packard (one foot on runningboard of course).

Article - Demonstrating a taste for fine motor cars as well as fine music, Herbie Holmes, maestro of the orchestra which bears his name and which is now playing at the 400 Club, is shown above with his new cream-colored Packard "120" sport roadster purchased from the Packard Wichita Motor Company.

For Jim; You made an earlier reference to "his famous car" but this is only the second photo of it that I know of. Is there more to this car story?

Regards, Pat Patrick Cummins Researching Cummins, HamiTEon, Kraft, Smith, Stover, Pennell, Lewallen

5/1/02 9:09 AM

In a message dated 5l2l02 10:56:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time, /rites:

Patrick, You might check with the University of Mississippi [ Oxford,MS ] he was inducted into their jazz hall of fame. Thanks for the photo we have it up. regards, Jim Ellis,arps Agency USA

Jim:

I am a member of a group of descendants of the musicians who played with the Herbie Holmes Orchestra from about 1935-1943. We are researching the bands travels, photographs, clippings, and stories for a permanent historical library collection. I would appreciate anything you could do to refer any interest in or questions about the Herbie Holmes Orchestra to this address. Maybe a link from your site?

Thank you, Pat

Patrick S. Cummins

1 of 1 5/3/02 8:39 AM \ Hello all: I am Pat Cummins, my father was Si Cummins who played with Herbie Holmes from 1936 to about 1943. We seem to have a growing band of individuals interested in researching our folks involvement with the Orchestra, and this is turning into a real project. I have sent out about 50 photos and clippings to try to identify, but Jim Brown has the largest collection of material and has been great to work with. As this goes along, I will try to advise everyone as we match up times, photos and individuals. Also some great stories coming up. Hope you don't mind, but I thought I would start this distribution group to let us share the info more easily. You can just copy it into your mail list, or "reply to all" when you send something.

Would also like to introduce John Ellzey, a librarian at the Ricks Memorial Library in Yazoo City, who has been maintaining a file on Herbie Holmes. John has been good enough to send me some items and we might be interested in donating some material to his collection.

Please keep any information, stories, pictures, etc. coming. I am interested in anything during the entire history of the band, so I appreciate it all. And I will share everything I have in this project.

Regards, Pat

Patrick Cummins Researching Cummins, Hamilton, Kraft, Smith, Stover, Pennell, Lewallen

4/29/02 10:48 AM John:

Just checking to see if you got my email reply to your message? Looking forward to hearing from you.

Pat Patrick Cummins _ Researching Cummins, Hamilton, Kraft, Smith, Stover, Pennell, Lewallen

1 ofl 4/5/02 11:18AM Here is my next photo, #52, of what I think may show Herbie Holmes 1936 Packard Roadster in the garage of the house. I don't know the location, or whose house it might be, but from what I can see of the car it looks like his. This comes from the same old collection of photos that included my #51 photo of Herbie and his car, so there might be a link in the 1936/37 time period. Does anyone have any ideas about the house?

Regards, Pat

Patrick Cummins Fairfax, VA Researching Cummins, Hamilton, Kraft, Smith, Stover, Pennell, Lewallen

' ^ 5/8/02 9:38 AM "'' V t Well, I have atumblod. on a couple tnoire pHotos to add ho my listing. Here is \ what I am calling #51, it is a photo of Herbie Holmes, leaning on his cream Packard roadster, and holding my cousin Robert Connell. Bob was born in April, 1935, so from his size I am guessing this is a 1936 photo. It was probably taken in the Kansas City or Manhattan, KS, area, probably a picnic. Note the kerchief. Pat

Patrick Cummins Fairfax, VA Researching Cummins, Hamilton, Kraft, Smith, Stover, Pennell, Lewallen

1 of 1 5/8/02 9:37 AM

All

I'll check with my dad and see if he can identify the house and location. When talking the other night about the roadster he did tell me of one adventure. Herbie had it in Denver and he, Nancy and my mother (Marian) and my dad took an afternoon trip up Pikes Peak. On the way down there was a sign which warned about riding the brakes. Herbie paid no attention to it and the inevitable happened, i.e., the brakes gave way. My mom and dad were in the rumble seat and were convinced this was the end. Nancy was screaming at Herbie to do something! I! As fate would have it a runaway truck ramp just happened to show up and Herbie was able to get the car on it and stop. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and lived happily ever after.

Regards,

Bob

lofl 5/16/02 11:16 AM Adele Brown Tyler;

It was really nice to hear from you, and I am glad that you are interested. This has grown into a real project, far beyond what I originally had in mind when I started. I am interested in your own memories of traveling with the band back then, so please let me know if you think of anything. I am looking forward to meeting Jim in person soon.

>From what I have pieced together so far, my Dad (Francis "Si" Cummins 1911-1980) joined Herbie in 1936. Probably while Herbie was playing one of two gigs that year in Wichita, KS. Dad was born and raised in Wichita, a coronet and trumpet man, and had been out on the road with the Frank Waterhouse band until around then. Around that time, he met my mother, Willavene "Ginger" Cummins. Ginger was from Kansas City, KS, and was a professional dancer. I found where she was billed at one club in Wichita in 1936, while Dad was playing with Herbie at another (the 400 Club), and a telegram Dad had sent her back then. They were married in September, 1938, in Kansas City, KS, and Herbie was Dad's best man. I was born a year later, and also traveled with the band until they broke up in San Francisco in 1943. For two more years, my folks stayed in San Francisco where dad had a radio band and played clubs. Dad was drafted in early 1945, which ended his "road career". Dad ended up back in Wichita after the war, where I grew up.

Working with Jim, we have a start of a Band Itinerary for the years 1935-1943. Lots of holes in it of course, but there are a lot of pieces of info and photos out there which might shed some light. Hopefully, you can add some info and stories. We have a Library in MS interested in being the eventual repository for the "Herbie Holmes Collection", which is very interesting. A nice way of honoring your own Dad, Army Brown.

Please keep in touch. Pat

Patrick Cummins Fairfax, VA Researching Cummins, Hamilton, Kraft, Smith, Stover, Pennell, Lewallen

5/16/02 12:11 PM j normal snutdown Uor model Continued on back page Mrs. Holmes, singer, dies at 83

Nancy Hutson Mrs. Holmes was the widow of Her lead singer. Herbie Holmes and his Holmes, who was bert Payne "Herbie" Holmes, whose Orchestra signed a contract vvdth MCA lead singer for her orchestra entertained music lovers the folloAving winter, and the couple husband's popular across the country in the 1930s and would eventually many in 1941. Big Band-era or 1940s. When the band played the Deshler- chestra, died of a Mrs. Holmes, who suffered from WaUick Hotel in Columbus, Ohio, in heart attack Satur Alzheimer's disease in her later years, 1941, the local paper reported, "Star day, Aug. 8,1998, at I..#-'/ was bom in Isola but hved in Yazoo vocalist is Nancy Hutson, a brunette her Yazoo City City for 52 years.She met her husband bobolink also from Mississippi, who home.She was 83. when she entered -a 1935 talent show has a throaty and dehghtfiil voice. Funeral services Holmes at the Windmill Club in Delta, La., She's one of the top she-canaries ofthe were at 2 p.m. Tues across the river from Vicksburg, while season, sells her songs as well as her day at Trinity Episcopal Church, a student at Delta State University. Southern personality." where she was a longtime commimi- Mr. Holmes was "captured" by her cant and choir member. voice and signed her up as the group's Continued on back page Clower back home after hospital stay 5 Comedian Jerry Clower is back mances at the Georgia Mountain first performance last Wednesday. He home in Amite County and doing well, State Fair in Hiawasee, Ga.,located in was admitted to the hospital Tuesday, his agent said Tuesday. the northern portion ofthe state just a Aug. 4. "His doctors gave him a positive few miles south of Morgan, N.C. Clower was forced to cancel his per- send-ofi^" Tandy Rice of Top BUhng in Hospital officials released him Mon- formances fnr t.hp rpmninrloi- nf fV

ITH A FOREWORD BY FRANK SINATRA

YA_ '* j/jg Macmillan Company ^ ,L.:. , ■ jv:,. I. ' Collier-Macmillan Limited, London v.. , ... ja!94-4253 512 Inside More of the Big Bands BOB WILLS began to bridge the gap be (King) Garcia, and his potent trumpet. Glcrn tween country and western music and big Garr, Neal Gianinni, Emerson Gill, LuJ band swing during the forties by presenting Gluskin, Ernie Golden, Cecil Golly the simpler C & W songs in more sophisti "His Music By Golly," Claude Gordon, who cated, up-dated arrangements, a compromise was a late starter. Lew Gray, Hal Gra\«cn. that resulted in thousands of dedicated. King Guion, who had a double rhvthm West Coast fans, attracted by the sight of section, George Haefely and Cass Hagan cow-boy attired musicians who sounded Sleepy Hall, who really wasn't, Hcnr) more like city-slickers. Halstead, Ralph Hawkins, Tal Henry, Rai Heatherton (Joey's dad), Ernie Heckshcr. BARRY WOOD, younger brother of band Milt Herth and his Trio, Billy Hicks (»ho leader Barney Rapp, quit the Buddy Rogers played like Bix) and His Sizzling Six. Bert band because Buddy wouldn't let him sing, Hirsch, Herbie Holmes. Ernie Hoist, Llo\d then formed his own pleasant outfit in New Huntley,'^ick Jerrett, Brooks Johns and York, caused such a sensation with his sing Johnny Johnson. ing that he was signed for the "Lucky Strike Hit Parade" and eventually wound up a top Paul Kain, Leonard Keller, Sonny KenJi*. television producer, most recently as head who played at the Stork Club and who. some man of the "Bell Telephone Hour." wag insisted, used Stan Kenton's and Sam my Kaye's old music stands, Larry Kent. AUSTIN WYLIE led a very musical band Ted King, Ray Kinney, the well-named Korn in Cleveland, which broadcast regularly, Kobbers, Howard Lally, Frank LaMarr. .Art featuring Claude ThornhiU's piano and Artie Landry, who was a real old-timer. .-Mien Shaw's clarinet and his arrangements in the Leafer, Eddie LeBaron and Phil Levant. late twenties and the clarinet of Clarence Machito, Dick Mansfield, Jack and Harrs Hutchenrider in the early thirties. Marshard, Paul Martell, Paul Martin, .Mel Marvin and his "Take It Easy Music." Bill AND there were still more big bands play McCune, Jimmy McHale, Hughie McPher- ing during the 1935 to 1946 period, as well son, Bobby Meeker, Stanley Melba. Bcnn> as before and after those dozen years. Many Meroff, Dick Messner, Harold .Micke>. have been completely forgotten, but not Argentine's Number One band, and Ras all: for example, Mickey Alpert, Don Alvin, Miller, who in the twenties had a fine hand Leroy Anderson, the famed composer, Jerry filled with budding stars, and Noro Morales Arlen, Bob Astor, Buddy Baker, Jimmy Baker, Dick Ballou, Bill Bardo, Barnee, Billy Murphy, Freddy Nagel, Paul Neigh Hughie Barrett, Dick Barrie (Gracie's bors (a late mickey-mouser). Will GaKKinJ. brother), "Bubbles" Becker, Gene Beecher, Eddie Oliver, Don Orlando, Jimmy Palmer. Larry Bennett, Don Bigelow, Teddy Black, Doc Peyton, Teddy Phillips, Graham Prince Neil Bondshu, Tiny Bradshaw and Mario (a good arranger), Roger Pryor, Arthurs Braggiotti, who also played duo pianos with son, Arthur Ravell, Floyd Ray, Joe Rine<. Jacques Frey. Don Rodney, Adrian Rollini, Boyd Scnter. Phil Sobel, Mike Speciale, Nick Stuart. Blue Ace Brigode and His Fourteen Virginians, Steele, George Sterney, Roy Stevens, singer Earl Burtnett, Tony Cabot, The California Joseph Sudy and Billy Swanson. Ramblers led by Ed Kirkeby, Del Campo, Joe Candullo, Russ Carlyle, Del Casino, Bob Sylvester with his wife, Olga \er- Tom Clines, Christopher Columbus, Irving non, Dan Terry, a post-era band, Lang Conn, Doc Daugherty, Charlie Dornberger, Thompson, George Towne, Al Trace. An who was on the back of many Paul White- thony Trini, Evalyn Tyner, Herman WalJ- man records, George Duffy, Mike Durso, man, big in the Texas area, Garwood N an. Baron Elliott, Scott Fisher, Charlie Fisk, Fats Waller (no big band but much fun>. Eddie Fitzpatrick, Basil Fomeen, Larry Jimmy Walsh, Sammy Watkins. .Marek Fotine and Roy Fox. Weber, Ranny Weeks, Julie Winlz. Julian Woodworth and Sterling Young, who. except Jerry Freeman, Snooks Friedman, who for Bob Zurke, ended just about every alpha also used the name of Hale Hamilton, Louis betical list of big bands. It II i; II II I I II 0 L II I AND HIS ORCHESTRA

Gaia Opening in PEACOCK COURT, Monday evening ... September Eighth For prefer^ reservations caN Mattre

d'Hotel, EXbrook 3434

'p A

From the deep South Herbw Hohnes brings an orchestra with not oily «ie of the most dancable rhythms in muii^ % but also a group of artists indudHig . » • NANCY HUTSON •• THE CROMWELL SISTERS THE HOLMES GLEE CLUR

Recent engegemwiH i^kMk CKkago's EOSEWATER IEACH HOTEL and CineinnaH*s BEVERLY HILLS COUNTRY CLUE

HOTEL MARK HOPKINS i gi^LWCI04jB^L6j5ATURDAa^OEC6MBHt^^96lt^i^^

'■i ■l'.'^AL^'i'\"-^

Survlvbra Include, his wifcr ;?"-® prolhcr^Mlller-J>^5 ■: JTSJ ^st»gugHie^H6sp»atni#jra^1pk^ ,II6hTrres lYaiw :Gj^;ifahd^S i.Vn»' ' * v( Katie •iBelle)XDjbnavart '^of'?^pfTh€^Y8i!06:^S^^

day,^ p.Tn^ iof ■f mn ^^,t;iiurch^with '^burial /iih; f thej^was-4 ?;pn; fictional

mmmm -^RwlorXof Eiîscbpai'^^j^rsoria^^^^ '7f hr^ .%-*: ''irr ??^V î3)Prch,^nd7^Rey.%Rob^rt:LP^y® ■ 1 ^îmniohsA'rbf —Gre^hviUe; - ' . Johnnie ,Herndon Addisoh, •- A \ A' f KgUh Moak'^ sS;' ■ -fW.: faegibH:fetes gr Yaas-fcitV^-'vS^ ..:• Cê W of Auslell; Ihre? Greeorv - Puheral -Home •®!' —r"— grandchildren;-three sisteis,- LoxdiE^sieâtlehj S ~ Wife Nancy-âs a featured Louise Watson-of Marietta '• ■ ... • ■■' "■' • .■'^"''*-<^r-"vv;"-:'•" T; A^naeiil^nts:^^ "'"'i- , . Ga.j Ruth-Porter of Hiram, Lora Essie ^denTBSi died -Holmes and. his. .band .also A. Ga'., and Margaret Patterson •Nov. 18 at Care {nn Nursing;^ ±i^^^^s.bomin3:azoo_.jy.ent._jDn.:::.a __succe^ful -i^f Atlanta;-, thrfee-^brothers, AHpme j|i.f.te.r:a:^hprt:;iUn^^ City in 1912. During his high vaudeville tour with Wee John E: and Foy of Hiram, She was bom in Ita^mba Ga.-, and Otis .Addison-of . -County, and .sp<^t" mostof A CoppîiR .Ett^ |van.orchestra whiclfplayedin A Holmes^was Lt. -Coni- Benton. v her life there jind in MonrOe r I - . . j. ^ ^^the area. A :• ^ v . -mander in theiUS.' Navy Services' were held" at. Couhly." Since 19W, v she Even A A thodgh v'r t World War II. " White. .Columns,.»^Chapel at resided in JCazoo City with jenci^ bh't iB 1 ^^Mississippi in. ; the . eariy - i; He Awas a member of 2:30 p;m. Nov. 19. Interinent her son. Lee Raden. She was vpnority 'holiday; pract was in Crest Lawn Mmoriaj the widow of. Clifford . G.-Acan ^ doiSg^lird^^ Park. Six nephews,served as Raden. . effort. . "Ibe.cuirre pallbearers. -They were:- . Survivors include her son,!:,toward Mike, Lamar, Fr^dy, and -Lee Raden of Yazoo City; fashioned decoratihg Joey of Hiram, Ga., Chris two brothers, Rufus Barber entertaining fits, tight i Addfson of Yazoo Cityi and arid Cayce Barber of conservation pracUces Danny-Addisori-of-Jacksonr -Jacksdhf grandchildren and seven use (and-save) energy Lions-Hoiary Clubs

Elks Grili Room To Honor Favorite Son Ya/.oo City sorved the "fntted cair today, not to its prodigal son but to its' favorite, Herbic Holmes. Set aside by proclamation of Mayor D. M. Love as Herbie"Holmes day, the daylight hours of March 1 were given over to welcoming the •'Young Maestro of the Mississippi Delta" back to his home town, and to a luncheon sponsored-jointly-by. the Rotary and Lions Clubs, at the j grill room of the Elks Club. More than 150 person.s assembled j to do the young man honor and to j hear "pro-views" of tonight's An chor Club appearance -of his band. ConductixJ.,informally, the luncheon was handled by H. M. Love, Jr., prominent young Yaroo City • at- es toastrflaster. The'Cromwcll sisters sang. Nan cy Hutson sent out her throaty mel- odii&5*oycr the crowded roorp- the Glce^;JClub gave its'' inter pretations of old favorites, and two of male,^*ocaU.sts,sang. Herbie program with a solo bf wimks* for the honors ac corded him. The son df Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Holmes, prominent Yazoo City fam ily. Herbie won the hearts of mil lions through his interpretation.s of music "served Southern style." He had the banqueteers at his feet through the entire program today. But the luncheon was just a part of the fe-stivities. Spending part of the day chatting with old friends and acquaintances, he did not stay long from the side of his mother and father, well kiirtwa. throughout Mississippi. The senior -Holmes is one of the Southland's mo.st prom- inejU bankers and president of Ya- 200 City's Delta National Bank. Young Herbie's band members and featured vocalists won the affection -of the people-pf-Her-bie'-s_home.tawjQ,. going into all the Main street shops and meeting the friends Herbie ,has told them about. They went from place to place, a Laughing, frolick ing,group. with admirers on every hand City was a success. Let^s have an- otVier one. Herbie. and not too far in the distant future! -goned-dummy. dence—Lbt" -i'h a n -1- eve rr-got:from_yOU. "Pali'be'arerH were T.'TIT'ti^t- •cap, Tom Kinked, Henry Summe, Mr. Dongieux took _a second Robei:t Sburley, L. Linde, K; p. hand car to a prospect the ovher -P"arksrSrrrS.-K,-Mills-and'4ienpy jây;andftcld"3ii nTof-all -th^-seconH• P6lk: - : - - : :1- ^ "hand cars'they_had^..îS;P^ne âs. "th'e'ê" he felt" coniidence.JhZand justiTied in pushing. "That's no Tgood=toêr^êT3li€drtherDiro3pe^

Ride-fully-yours, îVith-theîrarches —A. D. V. 'RINITY CHURCH fid ward -Reynolds hJoneg.—— Secby-Holmesô-g -Rector,- 'rrServices.for ttie third -Sunday ln "Adveht,' December 17, will be—as T SHajditJazoo Forr follows: "•: : Dflnro^ on T>pf-27 "Holy Con?munion a m. -^^loming^service-and—sermon" 11:00—oiclock. i=âzbd.~City-"ri9"proud" to "khow rt\Young..iReoples -Service -League that her-own Herby Holmes is the at *5:00 p. leader,_and -that—his-ablHty-aa—ff"-^h^day—December aSr^Meetihg Is sucli LliuL feltO'W^ of grdUps 01 rnnity uuild'at 4:UU .orchestra ^jnember-a-named-their-pr^ ganization~In:his Jionor—Only.-re- centlv-theg^ ynimgjimusician&^have iÊ-BAPTIST^rUJROT Treen"affiliated as Tpembefs xfHhe ■-"^ôrship ahJ^seimon hours H:6d -Music—Clttb-^-rAinenca^r^:3^hirds: a big hfinpr and a credit to thelv ,Sunday School at 9:30 a. ni. ' ability. .B. Y. P. U. at 6:00 p. nr. ' —Tjitie~Df the dance on ijecemoer ThLs is "loyalty, month and Bap- ^^r^vdlUb^ n-nA-t^-9' !EISs.Cl.ub_baU-iroom", "Visitors.-^re always-weleom IrWgerClub-Mcetfl^ -wbbb-d; YellPw chrysantnemums. -effect —decorated • the living room. .;v^=gdETHODIST-^HDRCH 'ofi"the~Rezln Temper aparEmenC --Following - la the program -for Thursday evening when they en- the -Methodisf church-for Sunday» tertained thp mPTYiharr-nf Uecember._lV,-n933: -- bridge club. The" games resulted. 4TF=î5S^Tny®'^Wls? ' ,Pi'eaehiug _ -noudoir-novelty and M. ErMcDo'n- ject: "The One Essential Gift." ald-handkerchiefa, Intermediate League at 4:30 v(^kMj . o u I I Preaching-lt^tM 'p." m! "^b- I Schaefer,,.Mrs. .Olive ^Kelly =Love,:l jaaf^gj^îÂnchora.'b-iJ^ J-. I ' 1 • ■ i - - ^ . You 'are' rdially ihvited-td M: ■^7^ fh a a, ]/ jê^rbrc

The Ultimate Reference on the State 2001-2002 Compiled and Wrinen by James L. Cox

ilillllilin

CiMPinR Semci & Resemci

cnifuxr associatiob Mmriai Ubr«y • «1 b am. nuiiiug^wuiui, u^d^uiiuciii uvcr iiic ucaui ui iii5 imii^i m 1943, took his own life on Aug. 1, 1944. Herbie Holmes Herbert Payne Holmes was bom on Sept. 27. 1912. in Yazoo City. He played in a small band at Yazoo City High before graduating in 1929. When he enrolled at Ole Miss, he joined the college orchestra. The Mississippians. which he soon began to lead. During Holmes' junior year, the NBC radio affiliate in Memphis, WMC, and Loew's State Theater sponsored a vocal competition. The first prize was trip to New York, an audition at the NBC studios, and a guest appearance on the Eddie Cantor radio program. Holmes won. In 1935. the band went on the road and before long it was the Herbie Holmes Orchestra. In late 1935. the band signed with a large booking agency which handled talent such as Count Basie. Benny Goodman. Tommy Dorsey. and Guy Lombardo. Gaining more popularity as their tour schedule grew, they evolved into a swing-style band playing Jazz and Dixieland. Later signing with a new agency and with a new vocalist. Nancy Hutson. the orchestra was booked solid playing in more fashionable venues, including the roof gardens of some of the finest hotels in the country. Holmes adopted the slogan. "Music Served Southern-Style." The press referred to him as "The Young Maestro from the Mississippi Delta.' Bassist Fay Anderson from Yazoo City Joined the band in 19.8. Holmes. Nancy, and the orchestra ushered in the New Year 1939 with a national radio broadcast from the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. It was about this time when Lawrence Welk was just starting. Their mutual agency urged Welk to study Holmes' emcee style and asked Holmes to emulate Welk's musical style. As a result, the Herbie Holmes Orchestra moved toward a more mellow style of music for dining and dancing. The band continued to succeed, now in bigger and better hotels. In June 1941, Herbie and Nancy married. Through 1940 and 1941 the band was constantly touring. They recorded four sides for the Okeh label. One was Herbie's rendition of Ida and Nancy was featured on A Little Love is a Dangerous Thing. Then, the war years came and disrupted everything. Holmes became associated with the USO and entertained troops around the country. In 1943, he dissolved the band and Joined the Navy. After the war, he and Nancy and their two children moved back to Yazoo City. Holmes died on Dec. I, 1981. In 1989, he was inducted into the Ole Miss Jazz Alumni Hall of Fame. His beloved wife, Nancy, died of a heart attack in Yazoo City on Aug. 8, 1998, at the age of 83. ppi Almanac \

\CuyQr^a^r''kl^^'Q-,'cu^' ■ 1

Miffl$$ippi Muficiani Hall of Fame

Legendary Musicians Whose Art Has Changed the World

Edited by James H. Brewer

QUAIL RIDGE PRESS Brandon, Mississi'ppi New York. During that time, he per which was a trip to New York, an audi formed with such notables as Johnny tion at the NBC studios, and a guest Mathis, Paul Anka, Bobby Rydell, Pearl appearance on the Eddie Cantor radio Bailey, Bing Crosby, and Bobby Hackett; program. and he was helped by jazz lover Jackie In 1935, his band went on the road, Gleason. and before long it was the Herbie Holmes He played bass and composed for Orchestra. In late 1935, the band signed some of the greats and served as studio with Music Corporation of America, musician with ABC and Dick Cavett. He which handled talent such as Count toured the world with Barbra Streisand, Basie, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Red Narvo, Teddy Gibbs, Bobby Hackett, and Guy Lombardo. and Pearl Bailey. He recorded on the Gaining more popularity as their tour Famous Door and Chiao labels. schedule grew, they changed into a Hinton was an avid photographer and swing-style band playing jazz and has se\'eral books of great musicians he Dixieland. Under a new agency, the photographed over the years. He has Frederick Brothers, and with a new assisted the National Endowment of the vocalist, Nancy Hutson, the orchestra Arts in their Jazz Oral History Project was booked solid playing in fashionable and helped in other documentaries on roof gardens of some of the finest hotels. jazz. Holmes adopted the slogan. Music He was recently inducted into the Served Southern-Style." The press Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame. referred to him as "The Young Maestro Called the "Judge," he is considered one from the Mississippi Delta." Bassist Fay of the greatest bass players ever. Anderson from Yazoo City joined the Hinton died on December 19, 2000, band in 1938. Holmes, Hutson, and the in New York City. orchestra rang in the New Year 1939 with a national radio broadcast from the Herbie Holmes was born in Yazoo City Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. on September 27, 1912. He played in a It was about this time when Lawrence small combo at Yazoo City High School Welk, also with the Frederick Brothers before graduating in 1929. When he Agency, was just starting his act. The enrolled at the University of Mississippi agency urged Welk to study Holmes' he joined the college orchestra. The emcee style and asked Holmes to emulate Mississippians, of which he later became Welk's musical style. In this way, the a leader. Herbie Holmes Orchestra moved away During Holmes'junior year the NBC from the Dixieland style and toward a radio affiliate in Memphis, WMC, and more mellow style of music for dining Loew's State Theater sponsored a vocal and dancing. competition. Holmes won the first prize. The band continued to succeed, now

JAZZ » 106 ] playing in bigger and better hotels. In School, south of Jackson. Piney Woods June 1941, Holmes and Hutson married. is a boarding school for students from Through 1940 and 1941, the band was poor backgrounds at risk of academic touring constantly. They recorded four failure. sides for the OKeh label. One side was The International Sweethearts of Holmes' rendition of Ida, and Hutson was Rhythm was originally organized by featured on A Little Love Is a Dangerous Laurence C. Jones, the founder of Piney Thing. Army Brown, later a well-known Woods School, to raise money for the Jackson businessman, was Holmes' school's operation. The "International" in arranger at that time. its name was used because there were During World War II, Holmes became women from several foreign countries in associated with the USD and entertained the band. troops around the country. In 1943, he In the late 1930s, the band toured dissolved the band and joined the Navy. mainly in the South, but slowly began to After the war, he, his wife and their two attract national attention. In 1941, the children moved back to Yazoo City, end group made an appearance at the ing his music career. Holmes died on Howard Theater in Washington, D.C. December 1, 1981. In May 1989, he was So many people attended that the num inducted into the University of ber of daily shows was increased from Mississippi Jazz Alumni Hall of Fame. five to six. By the end of the week, 35,000 people had come to see the per Redd Holt was born in Rosedale on formances, establishing an all-time May 16, 1932. He played drums with record. They headlined at the Apollo Ramsey Lewis, El Dee Young, Ken Theater in 1942. Nordine, and others. He recorded on Also in 1942, the Sweethearts were Argo and Mercury labels. pitted against Fletcher Henderson's big Holt also worked with David band in the battle of the sexes before a Onderdock, Cleveland Eaton,James crowd of 10,000. Similar bookings were Moody, Wallace Burton, John Gray, Chris made with other male bands, with the White, and many others. He can be Sweethearts often winning the battle. heard playing drums with April Aloisio, The band eventually cut ties with Brazilian Heart, released in 1995; Eden Piney Woods School and moved their Atwood, No One Ever Tells You, released operation to Arlington, Virginia. The in 1992; and Ramsey Lewis, Down to group worked for the USO and enter Earth, released in 1958. tained servicemen in camps throughout the country as well as overseas. They International Sweethearts of also performed on Armed Forces Radio Rhythm was an all-female swing band Service along with Nat "King" Cole, started at Piney Woods Country Life Lena Home, Billy Eckstine, and Ella

107 • JAZZ v_/'Ci'i.ox Mrs. Holmes, singer, dies at 83 Nancy Hutson Mrs. Holmes was the "widow of Her lead singer. Herbie Hohnes and his Holmes, who was bert Payne "Herbie" Holmes, whose Orchestra signed a contract with MCA lead singer for her orchestra entertained music lovers the following "winter, and the couple husband's popular across the country in the 1930s and would eventually marry in 1941. Big Band-era or 1940s. When the band played the Deshler- (nT chestra, died of a Mrs. Hohnes, who suffered from WciUick Hotel in Columbus, Ohio, in heart attack Satur Alzheimer's disease in her later years, 1941, the local paper reported, "Star day, Aug. 8,1998, at was bom in Isola but lived in Yazoo vocalist is Nancy Hutson, a brunette I her Yazoo City City for 52 years.She met her husband boboUnk also from Mississippi, who home. She was 83. when she entered-a 1935 talent show has a throaty and delightftil voice. Funeral services Holmes at the Windmill Club in Delta, La., She's one of the top she-canaries of the were at 2 p.m.Tues across the river from Vicksburg, while season, sells her songs as well as her day at Trinity Episcopal Church, a student at Delta State University. Southern personality." where she was a longtime conununi- Mr. Holmes was "captured" by her cant and choir member. voice and signed her up as the group's Continued on back page Mirs. Holmes CoBtinued from front page v..- Longtime fiiend Katy Rhodes Cemetery. The Rev. Paul Pradat Holbrook, Charles O. Stapleton, of Yazoo City said Mrs. Holmes officiated. Miller Holmes Jr. and Bee had many t^ents. Pallbearers were Bill Atkin Estes. "She was a very, very good son, Billy Rhodes, Jim Sim Gregory Funeral Home was in golfer, one of the good ones," mons, Clement T. Sehrt, Jeny d^rge of arrangements. Mrs.Rhodes said."She was very outgoing and was a wonderfil SOLUTIONS ACROSS SOLUTIONS DOWN firiend to me." 1. Tennis rackets 1. Taals Fellow Trinity Episcopal choir 2. Nervier member Charles. Estes also 8. Aerator holds fond memories of Mrs. 9. Dacha 3. Inti 4. Rarefy Holmes. 10. SBIC "Nan(y had a contralto voice. 5. Cudgeled 11. Affected She sang in the choir along with 6. EEC several of us who'd just come 14. Daring 7. Scalded back fiom the war.When Herbie 15. Decked and Nancy moved back to Yazoo 12. Tsk City, we t^ed her into coming 17. Cannabis 13. Unlawful into the choir with us," Estes 19. Adar 14. Decades recalled. "She was a faithfiil 23. Direful 16. Girlie member." 18. Noria Survivors include a son, Her 24. Dacca 20. Dec bert Hutson Holmes of New 25. Stable economy Orleans, and a daughter, Nancy 21. Rea.dy Katherine Holmes ofYazoo City. 22. Eddo __j Burial was in Glenwood V •!•- u.y ' ''l ' '■ ✓ , ,v

THE YAZOO HERALD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 1 987, B-1

Historical Society plans to relive Herbie Holmes era The Yazoo Historical Society Russell. The menu will consist of finalized its plans for its fifth annual fresh fruit, marinated vegetables benefit dinner to be held Saturday, drummettes in sweet and sour sauce' jylay 2 at the Elks Club in Yazoo City. shrimp, smoked turkey, pasta sala^' I^e event will begin with a social cucumber salad, croissants, baklava bour at 6:30 p.m. during which the and assorted pastries. quests can view a special exhibit At 8:30special guest Bill Minor will bonofi^S Herbie Holmes, the late, speakon politics in the 1930's and 40's .j-eat band leader from Yazoo City. in Yazoo County and Mississippi. Holmes traveled the country At 9:00, there will be 1930's and 40's ^jth his big band in the late 1930's big band music taped by J.w, pd early 1940's to national acclaim. McLellan from his large collection of 7:30. a dinnr planned and "big band" recordings. Selections gpared by Natalie Gibbs and Mary will include "String of Pearls," ^gfg^ret Yerger will be served by a "Chatanooga Choo Choo," "Begin \-oUP ladies headed by theBeguine," "Stardust," and many, many others. The event, with its theme of the 30's and 40's, will also highlight the newly renovated Elks Club in Yazoo City, "the Elks did a beautiful job," said Linda Crawford, Yazoo museum director, "and we hope that people will take this opportunity to see and appreciate this wonderful structure. Tickets for the event are $15 each and are available at the Triangle Cultural Center or from society president Ardis Russell. Proceeds will benefit the Yazoo Historical Museum and the society's other projects. For more information, call 746- 2273. Darkness on the Delta Page I of4

Search..

DELTA to a slice of the Deep South M A G A I N nittDi/Zdettamaoaanecomt (httD://deitamaaa2ine.cofn/?Dao6 id=1201t :// nilQAi

Home (http://dettamagazine.com/) Features(http://deltamagazlne.com/features/) Food (fMp*7/deltamagazine.com/feod/) Homes(http://deltamagazine.com/homes/) Gift Shop (http://deltamagazine.com/products-page/) Weddings (http://de[tamagazine.comAveddir^s/) DM Blog (http://deltamagazine.com/dm-blog/)

Darkness on the Delta ON NEWSSTANDS NOW Bygtftshop| January 15.2014| The smoky, bluesy anthem and the story behind its DELTA lovable lyrics

By Joanne Prichard Mom's• Photography by John Montfort Jones

if the Mississippi Delta has an anthem,"Darkness on the Delta" is It The Delta State University marching band plays it at every football game, bringing cheering students to their feet and putting a lump in the throats of alumni. In live performances of"Darkness on the Delta" and on her album Mississippi The Spring Number One, Eden Brent unleashes her smoky t>lues voice and k^tioard Issue virtuosity in the stride piano style she learned from Boogaloo Ames. Boogaloo himself accompanies Cassandra Wilson on her lush version for Belly of the Sun."Darkness on the Delta" was played at writer Willie Morris's graveside service and Greenville Mayor Chuck Jordan's funeral. 0 Hello, spring! 0 When popular music fens in the Delta and across the land first heard 'Darkness on the Delta,"the year was 1932, and the country was mired In the Great Depression. The crooner Rudy Vailee was sobbing "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" Into his FEATURES megaphone.In the Mississippi Delta, people were literally bogged down—In the Arts and Entertainment mud and muck from the 1927 Rood and the ongoing levee buQdIng. On cotton rhttD://deitamaaaztn6.(»nVfeaturB cateoories/arts- plantations African Americans like Son House were singing. The blues ain't nothing and-entertainmenth but a low-down shakin' chlll/lf you aint had 'em, I hope you never will." Delta Nostalgia Is It any wonder that the light-heatted, gently swinging, tuneful "Darkness on the

In feet, the song was written by three young men m their twenties wtio had protiably History never set foot In the Mississippi Delta. They were among the many popular music fhttP://deltaiT>aoazine.(iotTtffeature cataaQries/higr^rvA collatxMators getting a start in New York's Tin Pan Alley. Jerry Livingston On The Road (Levinson), a recent arrival from Denver, Cotorado, composed tire music. He fhtlD://deltanfiaaazine.cotnffeature cateooties/on- teamed up with the lyricists Al J. Nieburg, a Vermonter, and Marty Symes,from the-road/l Brooklyn."Darkness on the Delta" was the first hit song for all three men.

As originatly written, the song had "darkies singing sweet and low." Fortunately, the word "darkies" has long been replaced by "Voices" or another racially unbiased Stay in the know with our word, casting the song in a totally different light. In the Delta's segregated past, that newsletter! http://deltamagazine.com/features/(iarkness-on-the-delta/ 3/12/2016 irkness on the Delta Page 2 of4

wasn't always the case, as Diane Jacobs vividly remembers: lAuxufT I enieryou'eniailaddress Sutecribe. "In 1959 when I was in the first grade, everybody in my class P , M at Pearson Elementary School in Cleveland had to dress as H BKT''~ "■ pickaninnies and sing "Darkness on the Delta" in the middle ■ ■ of ^e football field! We all wore black gloves, had our bees ■ RQ' ■ blackened, and the girls wore bandanas on our heads." H I A less controversial faux pas is the line, "Listening to the nightingale way up above." Everybody in the Delta knows they were realty listening to the night songs of a mockingbird! According to the composer Jerry Livingston's son Dennis, popular music listeners throughout the country in the 1930s loved nostalgic songs about the South, and it was common for non-Southerners like his father to vwite them. Cultural historians explain that a major source of southern details in popular music resulted from the friendships between Tin Pan Alley songwriters and African-Americans who had fled the South for the big ctty. In the very same year that "Darkness on the Delta" was released, Cab Calloway and the Boswell Sisters separately recorded two Fate Waller songs about life in the Delta, "Old Yazoo" and "Down on the Delta." Apparently "outsiders" found the Mississippi Delta as intriguing then as they do now!

Yet "Darkness on the Delta" is the song we know and love and not the two by Fate Waller. Jerry Livingston's melody and rhythms are an almost mystical imagining of the spirit of the Mississippi Delta. The song's conventional 32-bar structure and predictable chord changes make it comfortable to hear arxl offer endless possibilities for improvisation. And quite simply, "Darkness on the Delta" is singable and danceable in a way biat transcends the passing of time and changing personal

The sustained popularity of "Darkness on the Delta" probably owes the most to singer and musician, Herbie Holmes of Yazoo City. A young man with a sky's-the- limit ambition and the talent and drive to match, Herbie was a student at Ole Miss leading the Ole Miss jazz band, the Mississippians, when "Darkr^ess on the Delta" came out. Not long afterward, he won a won a trip to New York for a guest appearance on the Eddie Cantor Radio Show and a singing audition with NBC radio.

After college Holmes created his own band, and in 1935 he signed with Count Basie and Benny Goodman's agent. The *' Herbie Holmes Orchestra went on the national circuit with - his theme song, "Darkness on the Delta" and a repertoire of other popular upbeat Drxietand-style jazz pieces. His , 11 featured vocalist. Nancy Hutson, was also from the Delta (Isola) and a student at Delta State Teachers College when she won Holmes's talent search. Wearir>g glamorous satin evening gowns, she opened and closed the band's performances with "Darkness on the Delta," The press praised her "throaty and delightful voice." By the late 1930s the Hertxe Holmes Orchestra had evolved into a big band with a smoother, more mellow sound conducive to dining and dancing—"Music Served Southern Style," Holmes called ft. BiBtx>ard magazine wrote about his orchestra: The band, unusually framed, has three violins, three saxes, three rhythms, and two brass. The effect is a tasty musical dish." The t>and played long engagements at the grandest hotels in the country—the Mark Hopkins in San Francisco, the Edgewater Gulf in Chicago, among them—and was featured on national radio broadcasts.

Hertxe was known as "the Young Maestro from the Mississippi Delta." By all accounts, the debonair Holmes had a sonorous radio artd stage voice and was also a polished and charming emcee. In fact. When Lawreree Welk was getting his start as a bandleader, his agent instructed him to observe Hertsie Holmes artd try to imitate his emcee style. With the start of World War II in 1941, Holmes's orchestra , V. . added LiSO shows to their performance schedule. entertaining troops across the country, in June of that year, Herbie and Nancy Hutson were married. Two years later, he -« — dissolved his tiand and joined the Navy, rising to the rank of • * Lt. Commander. After ttie war, the couple moved to Yazoo ... City in part because his tether wanted him to work in his http://deltamagazine.com/features/darkness-on-the-delta/ 3/12/2016 ^kness on the Delta I Page 3 of4

bank. Herbie chose other vwirk. but Herbie and Nancy raised two children and lived in Yazoo City the rest of their lives. But"Herbie was never the same." his wife Nancy said."He loved music so much." Today "Darkness on the Delta" is also a jazz standard played around the world and recorded by such celebrated jazz musicians as Pete Fountain and Thelonlous Monk. and blues combos play it in dubs and at music festivals from Califbmta to Connecticut Master guitarist Chet Atkins recorded a slow. meUow guitar solo of "Darkness." The song is beloved by barbershop quartets at everywhere. There are recorded versions of"Darkness on the Delta" in ragtime and bluegrass, blues and traditional country, featuring individuals and groups who sing and play it fast and slow, on fiddles, steel guitars, ukuleles, and banjos...trumpets, saxophones, woodwmds.and harmonicas. A review of YouTube and iTunes reveals nearly 300 versions, many of them from bari>ershop groups. But rrolxKly plays or sings "Darkness on the Delta" with more heart than the musicians of the Mississippi Delta, or dances to it with more exuberance than Delta people. In the 1950s Delta couples danced the Memphis Shuffle to "Darkness on the Delta" at legendary Red Tops Delta dances. Thirty years later, their children and even grandchildren were gyrating to the Tangents'audacious bluesy rock "version, featuring the late great Delta musicians Charfie Jacobs on saxophone and Duff Dorrough on guitar.

When Noel Workman moved to Greenville from Illinois in 1962, he remembers that the song was a nightly standard on a radio show called "Darkness on the Delta" on WJPR C1330 on your radio dial"), where disc jockey Bennie Gresham offered a program of gentle jazz standards. Soon Noel,a superb jazz pianist, added "Darkness"to his own playSst when he entertained gatherings of Greenville friends. In Yazoo City,from "high atop the Taylor and Roberts Feed and Seed Store in downtown Yazoo Cfty, Gateway to the Delta," both Miller Holmes, Jr.. and W3lie Morris sometimes dee-jayed the long-running "Darkness on the Delta" show on WAZF.a radio station started and partly owned by Miller's uncle, maestro Herbie Holmes.

Anyone who has lived in the Delta can appreciate the song's central vision,the blackness of a Delta night, when darkness envelops you and spreads out around you as far as you can see. The song cails it "the shelter of the night." To Indianola native Steve Yarbrough. a fiction writer now living in Boston,the song "always evokes exactly the same image: looking out the windows on the west side of my grandfather's house at that big field across the road."

I swear there were nights when you looked out and saw nothing but solid darkness, not a light bi sigfa. The only possible source of light would have been Mr. Cecil Poe's house about three-quarters of a mile away, on the other side of the field, tiut Mr. Poe went to bed early, and once his lights were turned off, it was total blackness.

Eden Brent suspects that the inspiration for the song was the Great Ftood of 1927. Ttie devastation would have been invisible after dark," she says."With that in mind, the song suggests that even in the face of hardship,the people here tend to make the best of a situation, not just persevering, but enjoying life." More than eighty years after it was written,"Darkness on the Delta" still delights and enlightens. The UfSmate Road Trav^et's Guide, Deta Magazme, 2014

*- A funlw wemioht^vs in Clarksriale fhttD://tr6tlamaQazine.com/features/4-ftjnltv- ovBrnialrt-stays-in-clartcsOalen The Perfect Storm: 201h amilwrsaiy of the 1994 Ice ^mn -> (http://cteltamaoazine.com/fealures/th6-nertect-storm-20th-anniv8isafv-of-the-1994- ice-storm/l

Comments are closed.

HOME fHTrP://DELTAMAGA2INF..mM/1 ABOUT US fHTTP://DELTAMAGAZINE.COM/ABOHT/^

DELTA SEEN(HTTP://DELTAMAOA7INF. COM/DELTA-SEEN/1 CONTAtrr US fHTrP://DELTAMAQAZINfE.COM/CONTACT/) FAQS(HTTP://DET.TAMAnA7TNE.COM/FA(>S/^ http://deltamagazine.com/features/darkness-on-the-delta/ 3/12/2016